7.31.2015

***Cover & Chapter Reveal*** Finding You, by Kelly Elliott






If Grace Johnson knew one thing
at all, it was that all men were dirtbags.



All men … except Noah Bennet.

“I was lost in his eyes. Lost
in his tears. My goal was to pull him out of the darkness … even if it dragged
me in as well.”

If Noah Bennet knew one thing
at all, it was he needed Grace Johnson.
Needed her … desperately.

“My pain was pulling me under …
she was my only saving grace.”

Grace is willing to put
everything on the line to help bring back the man she is hopelessly in love
with. Even if it costs her the future she’s been longing for.

“If finding you means losing a
part of me … I’ll do it.”



ADD TO GOODREADS







*Subject to change before publishing* Unedited version*

Chapter One ~ Grace

I sat in the library as I rolled my neck around and let out
a sigh. My mind had been pre occupied and I couldn’t afford to not be focused.
I’d fallen behind in my classes when Lauren got sick.

Glancing back down at my book, I tried to read the words on
the pages but my mind quickly drifted off to a memory of Noah and me.

***
Sitting back, I let the sun warm my face as Noah rowed the
canoe.

“So are you going to just sit there while I do all the work,
Grace?” Noah asked in a teasing voice.

“Yep,” I said with a smile.

Keeping my eyes closed, I could tell he had turned
directions. Trying not to smile, I asked, “Are you getting tired, Noah? Was
last night to much for you?”

Noah chuckled. It was the first night I’d stayed over at his
apartment he shared with one other guy who also attended A&M. I wasn’t sure
why I was keeping how close Noah and I were getting away from everyone. Maybe
it was my way of keeping this relationship distant from my real world. That or
I didn’t feel like answering Alex, Lauren, and Libby’s constant questions.

Whatever my reasons were, I pushed it from my mind.

“Baby, you could never be to much.”

Opening my eyes, I tilted my head and gave Noah a sexy
smile. As hard as I tried to keep from falling in love with him, I fell deeper
every moment we spent together.

“Is that a challenge?” I asked as I leaned forward, making
sure to squeeze my arms together so my breasts showed just the right amount of
cleavage since I only had a tank top over my swimsuit.

Lifting his eyebrows, Noah glanced over to the shore. When I
looked over my shoulder, there was a small path. Noah paddled us over and
jumped out. Reaching his hand out for mine, I placed it softly in his. The rush
I got just from his touch about caused me to let out a moan. Stepping up onto
the shore, I watched as Noah pulled the canoe up and grabbed my hand.

Leading me down the path, he pushed me against a tree and
smiled at me.

“That is indeed a challenge. Let’s see if you can keep up
with me now, Grace.”

My heart dropped to my stomach as I fought back those three
words.

Lifting me up, Noah pushed his hard dick into me as I
gasped. Desire pulled in my lower stomach and I was ready for anything Noah was
going to give me.

Except for the three little words he was clearly not afraid
to say.

“I love you, Grace.”

My mouth parted open slightly as I whispered back, “I love
you too, Noah.”

***

My phone buzzed on the table, pulling me from my
memory.  Glancing down, I saw it was
Alex.

                        Alex:
Hey. I’m finished with classes today. Want to go grab some food?

                        Me:
Where’s your hubby?

                        Alex:
Sleeping. We both have been trying to get caught up on classes.

Letting out a laugh, I nodded my head at my phone.

                        Me:
I love Lauren, but she screwed this semester up!

                        Alex:
Right? So food or not? I’m starving and my baby wants food.

                        Me:
I’ll meet you at Fuego’s.

                        Alex:
Yes! I was hoping you’d say that. See you there in a few.

Smiling, I stood and gathered up my books. Turning to head
out of the library, I came face to face with Doug Richards.

“Hey, Grace.”

My eyes traveled over his body as I suppressed the moan I
wanted to let out. Damn he was fine as hell and it had been to long since I’d
had sex. My mind had been filled with memories of Noah and I was horny as hell.

Noah.

Pushing all thoughts of Noah away, I smiled as I quickly
gave my lower lip a seductive bite and purred, “Hey, Doug.”

Doug’s eyes lit up. I’d always been friendly with Doug, but
this was the first time I’d ever put a little bit of something more into my
normal Oh hey Doug how’s it going.

Seeing Noah at the hospital with his new wife only proved to
me that I needed to move on. I couldn’t shake the way Noah had looked at me
though. I swear I saw the same look in his eye as I saw the first night he made
love to me. Actually, the first time he ever looked at me I saw the passion.

“Plans for tonight?” Doug asked as he ran his fingers
lightly up and down my arm. My body shook with the idea of being with someone.
I needed a good hard fuck to pull me out of this funk. What would one mindless
one-night stand do?

It would at least ease the throb between my legs. I’d gone
through to many vibrators. I was ready for the real thing.

Licking my lips, I winked. “I believe you’re picking me up
around eight? Taking me to dinner and then a little bit of … dessert afterwards.”

The smile that spread across Doug’s face caused me to smile.
“I like that plan.”

My eyes roomed his body as they landed on his lips.
Hopefully he was a good kisser. He had big shoes to fill.

Reaching into my purse, I took out a pen and grabbed Doug’s
arm as I wrote down my address. “See ya at eight handsome.”

The second I turned to walk away I wanted to spin around and
tell him to forget it. That I forgot I had plans with a friend. Worry my lip, I
continued to walk toward the exit door.

No, Grace. It’s time to move on. What I needed was one
evening of pure fun and Doug was the one who was going to provide it. Noah was
married and I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself. What we had shared was
amazing and I let it spoke me. I pushed away the only man I’d ever truly loved.

It was time to move on.

Tonight I was getting laid.

***

“What do you mean you have a date?” Alex asked with a
stunned look on her face.

I took a bit of my taco and shrugged my shoulders. “You
know, Alex. That thing you do when you’re single and haven’t had normal sex in
I don’t know how long. Even my vibrator wants me out of the house.”

Alex giggled as she quickly looked around. “You’re terrible,
Grace Hope Johnson.”

Shrugging my shoulders, I said, “Hey, you’re getting dick
every night. I wonder if I should get a Brazilian wax?”

Laughing, Alex shook her head. “That was random as hell.”

“I just got to thinking, I think I want my hoo-ha to smooth
for tonight.”

Alex started choking on her taco. “What? Grace, you can’t do
that today and then have sex tonight?”

Pulling my head back in a shocked expression, I asked, “Why
not?”

“Have you ever had anything waxed on your body before?”

Tilting my head, I thought about it. “Nope, I can’t say that
I have.”

Leaning in toward the table, Alex motioned for me to come
closer. “Grace, it hurts like hell to get waxed for the first time. I don’t
think you want your hoo-ha to be tortured before you dive back into the whole sex
thing again. I mean I get the whole, I just want mindless sex thing, but do you
really want to mistreat her like that all in one day?”

About to state my case, I heard someone clear her throat.
Alex and I both turned to see a mom staring at us with her daughter sitting
there with her mouth dropped to the table. Smiling, I said, “I’m not going to
have mindless sex tonight … well actually I am but I always use protection and…
ouch!” I called out as I felt a stabbing pain in my shin from where Alex kicked
me. Turning back to her, I yelled, “What the hell, Alex?”

Alex eyes were widened as she shook her head. “Grace, stop
talking.”

The mother stood and motioned for her daughter to follow as
Alex sat back and moaned, “Great, some mother I’m going to be.”

Letting out a laugh, I shook my head and said, “You’re going
to be a kick ass mother. Just like Ellie. Hey, so we never really got to talk
about how your parents and Will’s parents reacted to the big baby news.”

Alex, shrugged her shoulders. “I think they were all in
shock. My father biggest worry was school. I’m so glad we’re all graduating
this December.”

Taking a bite of my taco, I nodded my head. “Yeah, I’m glad
too.” After swallowing the taco, I worried my bottom lip. I had been trying to
figure out how to ask Alex if she had changed her mind about our plans.

Alex reached across the table and took my hand in her hand.
“The baby doesn’t change anything, Grace. I want to still follow our dream of
opening up Wild Flower. We’ve been dreaming of opening a flower nursery for
years. Nothing is going to change that.”

I instantly felt my body relax. Our whole focus throughout
school had been to open a nursery between Fredericksburg and Mason. The news of
Alex having a baby had scared the piss out of me. Smiling, I said, “I’m not
going to lie, I thought I might be doing this on my own and I was scared as
hell.”

Letting out a chuckle, Alex shook her head. “No way. Will
and I have already talked about it. I fully intend on pursuing our dream,
Grace.” Shrugging her shoulders, she said, “Besides, we will own the place! I
can bring the baby. She learn to dig in the dirt probably before she learns to
walk.”

Sitting up straighter, I let out a gasp. “Oh my gosh! We can
build a little baby nursery besides your office. I mean, I’m sure y’all will
have more kids in the future. I bet my dad or your dad could easily add that
into the design. Move that storage space somewhere else.”

Alex’s eyes lit up as she nodded her head. “Grace, that’s a
great idea! This will be perfect for both of us.”

Narrowing my eyes, I let out a confused chuckle. “How is a
baby room perfect for me?”

Giving me a sly smile, Alex said, “For when you have kids.”

Nearly choking on my tea, I held up my hands. “Whoa! Whoa!
Holy hell woman! Don’t even speak such words. This girl has no plans for kids
in the near future. Fuck, I’m not even having sex and the last time I checked …
you can’t get knocked up from a vibrator.”

Alex looked around as she put her finger up to her lips.
“Why do you have to talk so loud?”

“Why do you have to say such things? My God! There is
already something in the water with you and Libby both getting pregnant. I’m
sure Lauren is probably going to be announcing something in the next few
months. Well …  no thank you. I’m not
having kids any time soon.”

Alex’s eyes looked sad. “Grace, do you not want kids?”

My heart instantly hurt as I plastered on a fake smile.
“Someday I’m sure I’ll want kids. Right now it is the furthest thing from my
mind. All I want right now, Alex, is to move on and have a good time.”

“Grace, I talked to Noah the day Lauren got out of the
hospital. He desperately needs to talk to you.”

Swallowing hard, I fought to hold back my tears. “W-what did
he say?”

Shaking her head, Alex said, “He asked how Lauren was and
then for your number. I gave it to him. He said he needed to talk to you.”

Feeling my entire body start shaking, I quickly stood up.
“Why would you give him my phone number, Alex? He’s married for Christ’s sake!
Besides, it’s been over two weeks since Lauren left the hospital. He must not
be that desperate to talk to me. Damn it, Alex. Why did you give him my
number?”

Alex motioned for me to sit down. “Grace, just give me one
second to explain.”

Grabbing my food and drink, I glared at Alex. “I have to go,
I have to head home and grab a book a forgot and head to class.”

“Grace! Let me finish talking!” Alex called out.

Racing to the door, I pushed it open and quickly dragged in
the fresh air. Glancing at my watch, I sighed. I was going to be late for class
now. Quickly making my way to my car, my phone buzzed. Pulling it out of my
purse, I saw it was Alex.

Alex: I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s just he seemed
desperate. You really need to talk to him, Grace.

Rolling my eyes, I threw my purse and phone onto the
passenger seat and headed back to the house I shared with Alex and Will. Now
that Luke, Libby, Lauren, and Colt had moved out it seemed cold and empty all
the time. Even when they did live there, I spent more time at Noah’s place than
I did at home. Well, at least I did until I freaked out and pushed him away.

Wiping my tears away, I concentrated on thinking about
nothing but my date tonight with Doug. I’ll deal with Alex later. Right now I
needed to push Noah Bennet far from my memory. I needed to move on and this
date tonight was long over due.

Copyright Kelly
Elliott 2015




Kelly Elliott is married to a wonderful Texas cowboy who has
a knack for making her laugh almost daily and supports her crazy ideas and
dreams for some unknown reason...he claims it's because he loves her!

She’s also a mom to an amazing daughter who is constantly
asking for something to eat while her fingers move like mad on her cell phone
sending out what is sure to be another very important text message.


In her spare time she loves to sit in her small corner
overlooking the Texas hill country and write.


One of her favorite things to do is go for hikes around her
property with Gus....her chocolate lab and the other man in her life, and Rose,
her golden retriever. When Kelly is not outside helping the hubby haul brush,
move rocks or whatever fun chore he has in store for her that day, you’ll find
her inside reading, writing or watching HGTV.

FACEBOOK      TWITTER       WEBSITE     GOODREADS   AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE




 Brought To You by:



***Chapter Reveal*** Screwed, by Kendall Ryan

We are very excited for this brand new standalone from Kendall Ryan. 

Releasing on September 15 we get a peek at a sexy romantic comedy from the NYT Bestselling author. 








I have one rule: Don’t shit where
you eat.




Several of the women in the condo complex I own
would love some one-on-one playtime, and why wouldn’t they? I’m young, fit,
attractive, and loaded. Not to mention I’m packing a sizable bulge below the
belt. It’s a combination that drops panties on a regular basis. 




Yay, me, right?



But my cock, troublemaker that he is, has been
confined to my trousers by my business partner. A concession I agreed to, and
one that’s never been hard to enforce until Emery moves in across the hall.
She’s smart, young, determined, and sexy as hell. I want a taste. I won’t stop
until I’m buried deep inside the succulent new-in-town brunette.




After being warned about my past, she does her
best to steer clear, but I’m about to show her that underneath it all, I’m a
guy with a heart of gold and a cock of steel.




My name is Hayden Oliver, and this is my story.



SCREWED is standalone romantic
comedy by New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author
Kendall Ryan.










Chapter One
Hayden

Goddamn. This is going to be harder than I thought.
My eyes swing over to admire the most perfect pear-shaped ass I’ve
ever had the pleasure of laying eyes on while my business partner Hudson
continues lecturing me. I think it’s something important, but there’s nothing
more urgent than my body’s reaction to this shapely brunette. Jesus.
Those tits are definitely real.
“I mean it. Your cock is cut off this time,” Hudson says roughly,
his tone biting.
Tearing my gaze away from the succulent new brunette moving into
unit 4B, I face him. “Not literally cut off. I’m sort of attached to him. You
realize that, right?”
“Well it’s on lock down then. No more of this bullshit. I had
three calls this week alone from hysterical women – our tenants – who you, how
do I put this delicately? You fucked and then left before their pussies were
even dry.”
I smirk at him, but I can’t deny the accusation. We’re like the
real life Melrose Place. Sexy young twenty-somethings all living in close
proximity. There’s bound to be a little drama now and again. Together, Hudson
and I own thirty buildings in the greater Los Angeles area. And some of our
buildings have very fuckable tenants. Up until this point, I’d considered that
a nice bonus, and a perk of the job. Hudson has apparently viewed it
differently.
“Who’s that?” I ask, tipping my head toward the bombshell who’s
responsible for all the blood rushing to my groin. Fuck. I should have a
word with her about that, that’s not cool.
Hudson’s eyes swing to the left to see what, or rather, who has
captured my attention. And who’s given me this semi-chub, which I hope he
hasn’t noticed. We’re close, but we’re not that close.
“No, no, no. Don’t get any ideas. You’re not tagging that.”
She’s not close enough to overhear us, but I shoot him a scowl
anyway. “Show some class, man. Tagging is such a juvenile word. I’d take my
time, get her hot and ready first, until she was begging for me to fill her
tight, little cunt.”
“I’m fucking serious. You’re not to even think about her tight
cunt.”
“So you acknowledge she’s got a tight cunt?” I smile, proud of
myself.
He wipes sweat from his brow, looking worried. “Hayden, I’m
serious this time.” His voice has taken on a somber tone, and for once, I try
to be serious and focus.
Watching the way the vein throbs in his neck, my smile fades.
We’re standing outside of one of our nicest buildings just outside of downtown,
and the mid-afternoon sun is beating down on us. Suddenly I want to get away from
him, and away from this entire conversation and into the cool air conditioning
inside. Shit has gotten a little too real for me.
“You know me,” I grin at him, trying to lighten the mood. “I just
wanted to have some casual fun.” And if that meant sleeping my way through the
LA singles scene, so be it. I’m not looking for something deeper. I have a
luxury condo in the heart of the Hollywood Hills, drive a new model BMW and
possess a nine-inch cock. Translation: Life is good. Or it was, until Hudson
decided to get a bug up his ass and lay down the law today.
“Did you hear a word I just said? One of your latest conquests
threatened to report our company to the Better Business Bureau for unethical
business practices. This isn’t just about you. This affects me too. And I’ll be
damned if I watch everything we’ve built go down in flames because you can’t
keep your dick in your pants.”
“Point taken.” Hudson is pretty much the best friend, and best
business partner you could ask for. He’s smart as hell, dedicated, works like a
dog day and night. And not to mention when we began our real estate investment
company five years ago, he single-handedly fronted all the start-up capital
from his own savings and trust fund. It took me years to pay him back as the
profits rolled in, and he never once made me feel lesser, or like I was in debt
to him. Not to mention, he’s funny, well-off, and good looking. He’s an
excellent wing-man. Plus he knows the best taco joints.
Unable to help myself, my eyes drift over to her again. 4B fills
out a pair of yoga pants in ways that I doubt are even legal in most countries.
I needed to know what was underneath those curve-hugging black athletic pants.
Simple cotton panties, or a naughty g-string? Either way, I wanted to bury my
fingers inside the waistband of those pants, peel them down her hips and find
out. Perhaps it was because Hudson just made her forbidden fruit, but I wanted
a taste. My damn mouth was practically watering.
She looked smart, and put together, despite her casual attire, including
a tank top and tennis shoes. With a clipboard in one hand, and her trusty
number two pencil in the other, she ticked items off of her list, and
instructed the movers who were unloading and carrying boxes up to her new place
– which just so happened to be directly underneath mine.
“You’re not going to last three minutes let alone three days.” Hudson
grimaces, glancing over again at our newest resident.
“What do you know about her?”
He rolls his eyes, but humors me. “Emery Elaine Winters. She’s an attorney.
Excellent references. Even better credit score, and she signed a one year
lease. And she’s to remain in pristine condition, or so help me God …”
When I glance up at her again, I see Roxy, another of our residents
has joined Emery on the sidewalk, and they appear to be making small talk.
Shaking hands, exchanging words, and smiling at each other. There’s something I
strongly dislike about these two women talking. Roxy is an exotic dancer, and
she I have a bit of a rocky past. Which is a huge fucking understatement, but
not something I care to dwell on now. Hudson mentions something about fourth
quarter taxes, and I tune him out, sure I just heard my name on Roxy’s
over-glossed lips.
“Excuse me, I’ve got business to attend to.” I step around him,
heading straight toward my new prize. Roxy spots me, and takes off for the
parking area.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Hudson calls after me.
“Just being neighborly. Someone’s got to properly welcome Miss
Winters.”
“Dammit, Hayden,” I hear him shout.
“I’ve got this, buddy,” I shout back over my shoulder.
I can control myself around her. I have to, according to Hudson. I
don’t like being told what to do, especially where my cock was concerned, and
hell, it’ll probably only make me want her more, but as I close the distance
between Emery and me, I make a plan.
Friends.
I would become friends with the
so-hot-I-wanted-to-bend-her-over-and-fuck-her-in-broad-daylight new girl.
 
This was either the best plan I’d ever had, or would end with me
sporting a black eye, courtesy of my best friend.
It’s go time.












Kendall Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance novels, including Hard to Love, Unravel Me, Resisting Her and When I Break.



She's a sassy, yet polite Midwestern girl with a deep love of books, and a slight addiction to lipgloss. She lives in Minneapolis with her adorable husband and two baby sons, and enjoys hiking, being active, and reading.
Visit her at: www.kendallryanbooks.com  for the latest book news, and fun extras













***Release Boost*** The Truth of Tristan Lyons, by L.B. Dunbar + #giveaway






Title: The Truth of Tristan Lyons
Series: Legendary Rock Stars #4
Author: L.B. Dunbar
Genre: Rock Star Romance
 Release Date: July 27, 2015




Blurb


Heartbreaker.



I understand why I have the nickname. Hey, what can I say? I like women. All women. It doesn’t matter what shape, size, or color. I’m even into sharing. I’ve done it all, seen it all, but I’m at an all-time low. Who wouldn’t be? My best friend is missing. My uncle’s an asshole. I don’t know who I am without The Nights. We are a band of brothers, soldiering through the world with our music. Only, our faithful leader is gone, and everyone else in the band is falling for the oldest trap: love. Love is a lie. It is painful. It is hurtful.



I need a break. I want to be alone. I'm not prepared to share the exclusive home on the Island. I'm not prepared for her. I don’t know who she is or why she's here. She tells me to call her Ireland. I tell her my first name only. Originally, I don’t want to believe she doesn’t recognize me. Bass guitarist for The Nights, come on? After a while we both play the game. Secrets are another form of lies, aren't they?



Our fantasy will crash to reality too soon. Secrets catch up to you. The truth has to be told. It confirms what I already know: love is a lie.



Until her.







Links to Buy

AMAZON US / UK







Also Available


AMAZON US / UK



AMAZON US / UK
B&N / KOBO



AMAZON US / UK









Excerpt



The
Truth of Tristan Lyons
excerpt © L.B. Dunbar

I
wanted to know who she was. Scratch that, I didn’t care who she was. I wanted
to know how she got in the house. Damn these fangirls, sometimes.  They knew no shame. 
“Hey,”
I said grabbing her upper arm. “How did you get in here?”
She
seemed caught unaware of my approach and screamed loudly, pushing at my chest
hard enough, the sheer surprise forced me to let go of her.
With
her hand on her chest and her breasts rising and falling in great agitation, I
was able to see her big blue eyes and the sprinkle of freckles across her nose.
Her chin length blonde hair fell forward as she bent to clasp her knees and
catch her breath.
Standing
up almost as quickly as she bent over, she spoke to me through delicious
looking pink lips.
“Who
the fuck are you?” she growled.
“Who
the fuck, are you?” I returned.
“I’m…”
“You
know what, never mind. You need to go,” I said, cutting her off and reaching
for her upper arm again. “I don’t know how you got in here, where you came
from, or how you found me, but you need to go.”
I
began to tug her toward the front entry, her feet sliding in her flip-flops
across the tile flooring. She pulled back, and the force made her skid on an
angle across the slippery surface as I dragged her. She continued to glare at
me quizzically, leaning away from me.
“I
don’t know what you are talking about?”
“Did
you follow me, is that it? See me in the airport?”
“What?”
“Okay,
I love you too, now you need to go. Okay?”
“What
are you talking about?”
“Don’t
pretend you don’t know who I am?”
“I
don’t.”
I
stopped, still holding firmly to her arm. Something in her voice sounded like
she was being serious.
“I’m
Tristan.”
She
blinked, confusion clearly on her face. I was thoughtful for a moment. It was
the innocence in her blue eyes, and the fact she looked like she might cry.
Something wasn’t right with this scenario.
“Trist
– an,” I said slowly, as if she had some type of hearing impairment.
“Who?”
I
narrowed my eyes at her.
“What
kind of music do you listen to?”
“Country,”
she answered so quickly, she didn’t even blink an eye or stop for thought. On
top of that, she said it in such a way that showed she was thoroughly confused,
and almost disgusted with me, for even asking such a ridiculous question. She wrinkled
her nose.
“Look,
I know the owner, and you shouldn’t be here.”
“I
know the owner,” I repeated, “and you shouldn’t be here.”
“I’m
not leaving,” she said, pulling at her own arm again and sticking out a hand to
press against my chest as leverage. I had tugged my shirt off at some point
while I was passed out, and her warm hand felt good on my air-conditioned cool
skin. Her hand was tiny, I noticed. All of her was thin.
“I’m
supposed to be here. Alone,” I emphasized again.
She
didn’t respond, so I added, “I think I’ll just call the owner myself, to see
where the mix up is.”
“No,”
she blurted, stopping in her physical struggle against me. Her eyes opened even
wider, if that was possible, and her face was suddenly full of something I
couldn’t read. Her blue eyes brightened in a frightening sort of way. Was that
fear? Good, she should be afraid.
“Please.
I swear. I’m allowed to be here. You don’t need to call Isa.” 
She
had me. I didn’t really know who Isa was, and the girl sounded confident enough
that I let her call my bluff.
“If
there is a mistake, and you were scheduled to stay as well, I won’t complain.
As a matter of fact, I won’t even be in your way. You won’t even know I’m here.
I plan to keep to myself.”  Her eyes were
glassy, and again I worried she was about to cry.
I
released her arm and she pulled it back quickly. She fisted the hand of that
arm, holding it against her chest. She began rubbing her upper arm with the
opposite hand. I noticed again that she was thin, as were her breasts. I didn’t
care for small chested girls. I didn’t care for her.
“Well,
I’m Tristan, whom you claim to not know, and you are?”
“I’m…Ireland.”
“Ireland
what?”
“Just…Ireland.”
I
shook my head.
“So
this is how we’re going to play it? Fine, my Irish Isle. What are you doing in
the Caymans?”
She
looked at me for a moment, then leaned toward me and sniffed. She held the
disgusted expression on her face and wrinkled her nose as she pulled back.
“Probably
the same thing as you.”
“Drinking
myself into oblivion?” I laughed, crossing my arms over my bare chest
defensively.
“Hiding,” she replied.













Author Bio



L.B. Dunbar loves to read to the point it might be classified as an addiction. The past few years especially she has relished the many fabulous YA authors, the new genre of New Adult, traditional romances, and historical romances. A romantic at heart, she’s been accused of having an overactive imagination, as if that was a bad thing. Author of the Sensations Collection, Sound Advice, Taste Test, Fragrance Free, Touch Screen, and Sight Words, she is also author of the Legendary Rock Star series, beginning with The Legend of Arturo King. She grew up in Michigan, but has lived in Chicago for longer, calling it home with her husband and four children.



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



I’d like to say I was always a writer. I’d also like to say that I wrote every day of my life since a child. That I took the teaching advice I give my former students because writing every day improves your writing. I’d like to say I have my ten-thousand hours that makes me a proficient writer. But I can’t say any of those things. I did dream of writing the “Great American Novel” until one day a friend said: Why does it have to be great? Why can’t it just be good and tell a story?

As a teenager, I wrote your typical love-angst poetry that did occasionally win me an award and honor me with addressing my senior high school class at our Baccalaureate Mass. I didn’t keep a journal because I was too afraid my mom would find it in the mattress where I kept my copy of Judy Blume’s Forever that I wasn’t allowed to read as a twelve year old.

I can say that books have been my life. I’m a reader. I loved to read the day I discovered “The Three Bears” as a first grader, and ever since then, the written word has been my friend. Books were an escape for me. An adventure to the unknown. A love affair I’d never know. I could be lost for hours in a book.

So why writing now? I had a story to tell. It haunted me from the moment I decided if I just wrote it down it would go away. But it didn’t. Three years after writing the first draft, a sign (yes, I believe in them) told me to fix up that draft and work the process to have it published. That’s what I did. But one story let to another, and another, and another. Then a new idea came into my head and a new storyline was created.

I was accused (that’s the correct word) of having an overactive imagination as a child, as if that was a bad thing. I’ve also been accused of having the personality of a Jack Russell terrier, full of energy, unable to relax, and always one step ahead. What can I say other than I have stories to tell and I think you’ll like them. If you don’t, that’s okay. We all have our book boyfriends. We all have our favorites. Whatever you do, though, take time for yourself and read a book.
 



L.B. Dunbar









Author Links